Captain John Johnson

Attempt the end and never stand in doubt;Nothing so hard but search will find it out.-Herrick

The home of our ancestor in England has not been learned. As his known relatives resided about twelve miles from London on the River Lee, it is safe to say that he probably came from the same locality. Neither has the maiden name of his wife Margery been ascertained. Through the relationship mentioned in certain legal documents, it has been assumed by some that she was Margery Heath.John Johnson, with his family, came to this country in the fleet with Winthrop, landing at Salem June 22, 1630. He settled in Roxbury, where he, with his son-in-law Richard Mowry, (Roger Ed.) was made Freeman May 18, 1631. He was active in the business of the Colony, as Juryman, serving on Committees, as Surveyor laying out the bounds of Towns around Boston. March 4, 1634/5 John Johnson and Richard Dumer were ordered to build a bridge across Muddy River. Five towns were to contribute to the cost. Mary 25, 1636 or 1635 he was chosen one of a Committee to determine the valuation of the several towns. September 8, 1636 he was again chosen for that purpose. May 17, 1637 he was chosen one of the Deputies to levy on the towns for raising fifty men to send against the Pequots. He was also chosen Surveyor General, an office, which at that time, included the care of the stock of arms and the ammunition of the Colony. An interesting account of the burning of his house, with the Colony's stock of powder, also the Town Records of Roxbury, of which he was Town Clerk, is given in Governor Winthrop's History, also in Drake's History of Roxbury. He was chosen Deputy to the House of Deputies to represent Roxbury in 1634, the first year of that Assembly; and was chosen for twenty-one years afterward, nearly all consecutively."Captain John Johnson was the first Clerk of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery. His son, Isaac, was its Captain, and leader at one time. It is the oldest military organization in this country, founded March 13, 1638, and which still proudly maintains its existence. Upon the rolls of its members are to be seen the names of men who in their day, through the entire history of Massachusetts, were foremost in peace and war, and who occupied the highest place in science, art, and literature, and in social, political and military life. At no time could any but a distinguished citizen have become a member of its society."Late in his life, John Johnson was granted one thousand acres of land in consideration of his great service to the Colony.Duties and position of the Surveyor General are described by Osgood in "American Colonies in the 17th Century" Volume I, page 513:"In the Massachusetts Bay System the germ of the modern military staff appears chiefly in the office ordinarily designated as that of Surveyor of Ordinance, or later as General Surveyor of Arms. Early in 1631 the general court chose a Surveyor of Ordinance, to be allowed £10 per year. But from 1632 to 1642 the business of the office was mainly transacted through committees. In 1642, owing to fear of an Indian attack and the desire that the colony might be well supplied with powder, John Johnson was appointed Surveyor General of the Arms. From that time until the downfall of the Colony government, the many references to the office indicate its importance. The Surveyor General of Arms was a custodian of the Colony's supply of ordinance, arms and ammunition; under authority from the general court, he delivered powder to the towns, and received back from them any excessive supplies which might have been issued. He could also sell ammunition. He was empowered to recover arms belonging to the Colony from individuals or towns that had them in their possession, to either preserve them pending an order of the general court, or to sell them at a fair price and procure others in their place. The purchases of ammunition were usually made through the Surveyor General, though in co-operation with the treasurer. Orders of the general court that he should loan munitions to individuals are common. When in 1643, arms and stores were brought from Castle Island, an invoice of the whole was given to the Surveyor General and the arms were delivered into his custody...."Captain Johnson was married second to Grace Negus, widow of Barnabas Fowler. Grace died on September 29th, according to town records.

Came to this country with the fleet Winthrop, landing at Salem June 22, 1630. I am a member of the Winthrop Society.

JOHN JOHNSON, of Roxbury, Will - My dwelling house and certaine lands I have already given to my beloved wife during her life, according to a deed extant, wherein I also have given her 60 pounds. for her household furniture. with house and lands after my wifes decease, I give unto my five Children, to be equally divided, my eldest sonne hauing a double portion, according to ye word of God. Unto my two grandchildren who have lived with me, Elizabeth Johnson and Mehetable Johnson, each of them 5 pounds. to be paid within one year after my decease. I have given to my sonnes Isaac Johnson and Robert Pepper a parcell of lands of 55 acres in ye 3rd division of ye town w I heartily confirme. All ye rest of my lands, debts, etc. I give to my five children to be equally divided; my eldest sonne haveing an double portion. I make my sonne Isaac and Robert Pepper my Executors. I request Elder Heath & Deacon Parke to be overseers, and in token of my love I giue them each 40 shillings. If my children disagree in anything, I order them to choose one man more to these my overseers and stand to their determination. JOHN X JOHNSONWitness John Eliot, John AlcockeEdward Denison, the last two deposed15 October 1659. Inventory of estate taken by Capt. Isaac Johnson and Robert Pepper, who deposed Oct 15, 1659.

___________________________________Will of John Johnson --------------------------------------------------------------------------------30 September 1659The last will and Testament of John Johnson of Roxbury, this 30th of the 7th, '59, having my perfect memory and understanding by the blessing of my mercyfull Father, whose reconciled face in Jesus Christ my soule waitesth to behold. I dispose of my worldly goods and estate as followeth. My dwelling house and certaine lands I have allready given to my beloved wife during the term of her natural live, according to a deed wh is extant wh deede my will is shall be fulfilled, wherein also I have given her 60 pounds for her household furniture, wh house and lands after my wifes decease I give unto my 5 children to be equally divided, my eldest sonne having a double portion therein, according to the word of God. I give unto my two grandchildren who have lived with me Elizabeth Johnson and Mehitable Johnson, each of them 5 Lbs this to be paide within one yeare after my decease. I have formerly given to my sonnes Isaac Johnson and Robert Pepper a parcel of lands of 55 acres in the third division of the towns which I do hereby confirme. All the rest of my lands debts and moveable goods, my debts and funeral charges being first discharged I doe give unto my five children to be equally divided, my eldest sonne haveing a double portion. Also I make my sonns Isaak Johnson and Robert Pepper my executors of this my last will and Testament, and I request my deare brethren Elder Heath, and Deakon Parke, to be overseers of this my will and Testament, and in token of my love I give you each 10 pounds. If my children should disagree in any thing, I dow order them to choose one man more, to these my overseers, and stand to theire determination. the mark of J. J. John Johnson Witness John Eliot

Capt. John Johnson, ESQ and his 2nd wife Margery Scudder Johnson are buried in Eliot Burying Ground, West Roxbury, Suffolk County, MA. This cemetery was established in 1630. The grave markers of Capt. John & his wife no longer exist or are illegible.Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=46878998